Pariaman, (Antaranews Sumbar) - The government of Pariaman Municipality, West Sumatra, recorded about 30 hectares of rice fields in the area has been changed their function for the last 10 years.
"Approximately 30 hectares of rice fields had changed the function as the impact of Pariaman city development," Head of Agriculture Office of Pariaman Agusriatman remarked in Pariaman, Thursday.
He said in addition to switch function because of the increasing community settlements, it is also due to the construction of fertilizer factory in South Pariaman Sub-district.
In 2014, the local government recorded there are 2,523 hectares of rice fields in the area. Then in 2015, the area decreased to 2,504 hectares and in 2016 only 2,502 hectares of rice fields remaining.
"For data in 2017, we do not have exact one, because it must be coordinated with local Central Bureau of Statistics first," he said.
Nevertheless, rice production in Pariaman in 2017 reached 41,834 tons and experienced a surplus of 8.9 tons so that people's needs are still sufficient, he said.
"The last 10 years of rice fields that are functioning are significant, but the need for rice is still sufficient and even surplus," he said.
The surplus of 8.9 tons is generally sold to the neighboring areas such as Pekanbaru and Jambi. However, local government continues to anticipate the conversion of land for rice fields to avoid the increasing by planning to issue a Regional Regulation (Perda) that regulates land use.
"There should still be clear rules and regulations on the issue of rice fields, because it is feared in the long term affect," he added. (cha)
30 Hectares Pariaman Rice Fields Function Had Been Changed
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